For the second year in row, USTA Eastern and City Parks Foundation teamed up to present The Battle of the Boroughs Tennis Challenge, an adult recreational tournament that began in June. Five teams advanced to the championships on Saturday, July 12 held at the Flushing Meadows Corona Park Tennis Courts. Harlem’s Fred Johnson Park, the Manhattan representative, had close matches throughout the day but ultimately pulled out victory.

The competition has grown this year to feature more than 25 teams from around the boroughs. The other park teams that advanced to the championship round were the Prospect Park team for Brooklyn, the Crotona Park team from the Bronx, the Silver Lake Park team from Staten Island, and the Astoria Park team for Queens.

The team competition supports CityParks tennis, which provides free tennis lessons and activities for children at 40 parks citywide.

“What a great event. I haven’t been playing as much tennis these days, but decided to for Battle of the Boroughs since I appreciated the cause,” said Marina Oetiker, member of the winning Fred Johnson Park team. “Once I saw the trophy I got so excited and really wanted to win.”

Oetiker’s teammate, Francesca Fanchin, grew up playing tennis with the City Parks Foundation and at programs in Harlem and Inwood.

“Getting to play against really good players from around the boroughs of New York is amazing because you don’t normally get to find so much talent in one group,” said Fanchin. “It is always so great to come back and play at the Flushing Meadows courts too. Playing tennis right outside the grounds at the US Open is such a privilege.”